Emotional Intelligence (EQ) In Children- An Overview.

“Children of this generation are very SMART’ this is not a breaking news! We experience this on a day-to-day basis. We see even a four-year-old playing effortlessly on a computer, knows much more than children of their age perhaps a decade ago. In spite of this, the worldwide statistics is showing that these SMART (so called) children are becoming more impulsive, anger prone, lonely, prone to depression, with rising behavioral and psychosomatic problems than ever. These statistics strongly indicates that today’s children are not so SMART about their EMOTIONS

This smartness about emotions can be scientifically defined and measured and is called as ‘Emotional Quotient’(EQ) of the child.

The excitement over the concept of Emotional Quotient(EQ) begins with its implications for raising children with higher EQ & its importance in their academic success. As against IQ which is fixed & like a genetic lottery, EQ can be learned, developed & enhanced at any age.

Emotional Quotient means how effectively the child deals with his/her emotions (i.e.) how he/she intelligently uses the information, power & energy hidden in their emotions.

Child EQ has been more elaborately divided into skills which are like essential survival tools vital for any child to face this 21^st century world with increasingly complex emotional challenges.

The Emotional Skills (EQ skills) include among others, the following abilities & skills….

                                                                                                                                

1)Emotional Literacy skills—Ability to notice, recognize, & understand your own & others emotions. It’s about ability to have elaborate emotional vocabulary & language of emotions for expressing your emotions constructively.

2)Emotion Management skills—Ability to be open, curious and accepting towards various emotions like anger, fear, disappointment etc. Ability to effectively navigate through these emotions. Also includes the skills related to impulse control & delaying gratification

3)Intrinsic Motivation Skills---To motivate self & others when times are tough. It’s about ability to harness emotions towards a purposeful goal.

4)Optimism skills-- This includes having accurate, realistic & positive thinking style while facing challenges in life. Children with these skills developed can navigate through life’s ups & down with much resilience

5) Empathy skills—Ability to tune into and understand other’s feelings. This will help them feel connected with other person’s feelings & help others in need. This helps in building relationships & to function effectively in a group

6) Emo-Social skills - required to make & keep intimate friendships. This includes listening skills & other conversation skills. These social skills will also help children as they grow into their adulthood for managing relations at workplace & marriage.

7)Problem solving skills & skills related to conflict resolution-

Studies have shown that, children with higher Emotional Quotient are

Better in academics Less impulsive, more focused, Self-assertive, better able to cope with stresses of life, More confident, Less violence prone, Popular in peer group, Happier & healthier.

There is a growing evidence which shows that all over world children’s IQ is rising (Flynn effect) but their EQ is plummeting. We have in front of us a generation of children with high IQ & low EQ. Time is ripe when we as adults (parents. Teachers) need to focus on child’s EQ to have better balance of IQ & EQ in their future life.